Authorities negotiate to establish Miami-Tokio non-stop flights

The Japanese community in Miami is in the process of arranging for Japan Airlines to land in Florida with an unprecedented non-stop service between Tokyo and Miami, according to Miami Today News. If this route materializes, the Japanese airline would be the first East Asian carrier to land in the Sunshine State with a flight that would take about 15 hours.

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A nonstop connection between Japan and Miami could be a «game changer» for Miami’s Japanese business community, said Kazuhiro Nakai, Japan’s consul general in Miami.

Nakai is working with Ralph Cutié, executive director of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and Jimmy Morales, chief operating officer of Miami-Dade County to establish direct service between Miami and Japan.

Considering the level of connectivity that Florida has with Latin America, this route would also serve to bring the region closer to Japan. São Paulo is one of Tokyo’s most underserved destinations, according to a study published by anna.aero. Currently, Brazil is the second nation in the Americas with the most Japanese descendants.

Japan Airlines has American Airlines as a business partner, which uses Miami as one of its main hubs, which would open many connection possibilities. As for the cargo market, the airline could move spare parts and perishable goods.

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Nakai indicated that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis could lead a trade visit to Japan in October 2023 and a Miami-Dade County commission is planning its own trade mission to Japan in the spring of next year. Nonstop service between Miami and Tokyo is in discussion on both agendas.

Japan Airlines’ network in the contiguous United States covers Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Boston (BOS), San Diego (SAN), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Seattle – Tacoma (SEA).